THE LOCAL OPTION POLL.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXIII, Issue 12622, 19 November 1908, Page 6

THE LOCAL OPTION POLL.

The Position at Auckland

(Per United Press Association). AUCKLAND, November 18.

Some days must elapse before the official returns in connection with the local option poll in the various Auckland districts are available. The delay is due to several causes, including the scrutiny and check count that are necessary under the Act, to say nothing of the absent votes. An interesting situation has arisen in connection with the licensing poll in Auckland City. As announced last night reduction was carried by 277 votes. The figures upon which that result was arrived at, however, were not complete, as they took no account of the votes of seamen and absent voters, the totals of same not being available until to-day. The position is that 543 voting rights were issued to seamen and 89 to absent voters in the three city electorates. Up till to-night the returning officer had received the votes of 338 seamen and 60 absent voters, a total of 380. Of this aggregate 14 seamen's votes in City East are the only ones that were included in Tuesday's count, consequently the total still to 'be counted is 384. At first sight it would appear, the majority for reduction having been only 277 and the votes to be counted amounting to 384, that if all the latter should be cast for continuance the vote will be reversed. The new figures would, however, merely give a majority for reduction of 85 instead of 277. If the 384 votes still to be counted all go for continuance the increased total for that proposal (8419) will not equal half the valid votes recorded (18,951), and consequently continuance will not be carried. The votes for reduction, however (9560), exceed the half of 18,951 by 85, and thus reduction will be carried only in the event of practically the whole of the rights issued to seamen and absent voters being used. Only if all the votes are formal and cast in favour of continuance can there be any result but reduction in Auckland City.

AUCKLAND, November 18

Manukau is another district in the case of which the number of votes recorded is unknown. It is therefore quite impossible to give the actual result. On the figures — continuance 2254, reduction 3220, Nolicense 3559 — it would appear likely, however, that reduction is a probability, and No-license a possibility. The last batch of returns to hand included the votes of the residents on Pakatoa Island, where the Salvation Army inebriates' home is established. These electors cast 30 votes for continuance, 9 for reduction, and 12 for No-license.

AUCKLAND, November 18.

The final returns from the.. Parnell electorate are not yet available. No further figures than those published this morning will be ready until Monday. The returns are as follow : — Continuance 2644, reductio p3394, No-license 3624, but the fact that the number of votes recorded is still unknown makes it impossible to do more than surmise that reduction is probable and No-license possible. Ten seamen's voting rights have to be included. The total number of valid votes in the Eden electorate having been supplied, and the full returns being in, the result of the poll (subject to the customary check count and scrutiny) it can be definitely stated as being that No-License is carried by a majority of 197 votes. In addition to the hotels affected by this decision of the electors, the Avondale Jockey Club will be unable, after June 30th, to have liquor for sale at their racecourse on racing days.

The final returns from Waitemata are: — Continuance 2450, reduction 2943, Nolicense 3328. The valid votes are not totalled, but are estimated at 5923. If that figure is correct reduction is lost by 19, No-license by 226, and no proposal is carried.